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(1867-1947). Three times British prime minister between 1923 and 1937, Stanley Baldwin headed the government during the general strike of 1926, the Ethiopian crisis of 1935, and the abdication crisis of 1936. In the general strike (May 4-12, 1926) the Conservative Baldwin proclaimed a state of emergency. He organized volunteers to maintain essential services and refused to negotiate with labor leaders until the strike ended. In December 1935 a British-French agreement allowed Italy to conquer Ethiopia and brought immediate public criticism of Baldwin’s government. The following year he skillfully handled the constitutional crisis that culminated in the abdication of King Edward VIII.